Stuck for things to do over the Summer? We’re all hoping this sunshine lasts a bit longer, but here’s what else we like the look of in Glasgow and Edinburgh…

GLASGOW

*Shameless plug, but we’ve got some exciting events coming up!*

Soundcycle workshop at Kelvingrove Bandstand

Thursday 19th July, 11.30am – 12.30pm
We’re pedalling our way down to Kelvingrove Bandstand with plenty of percussion and bike parts to play with – our Soundcycle workshop is a fun way to get involved with music and sport all at once ahead of the European Championships arriving. BYOB (bring your own bikes)!
There’s a wide range of activities for families happening at the Bandstand throughout July, so check out the link for more info!

Soundcycle concerts at City Halls

Friday 10 August, 12pm and 2.30pm
Owen and our Essential Orchestra will be stepping up to the podium for medal-winning performances in a special family concert celebrating the European Championships 2018. Join us and show off your freestyle moves in an epic game of musical statues – a CCC concert isn’t a spectator sport! The Championships and Festival 2018 (packed with arts and cultural events) runs from 1st – 12th August. 

Other events you might like:

Loch Lomond Highland Games at Moss o’ Balloch Park
Saturday 14 July, 9.30am – 5pm

Soak up the tradition and experience a fun programme of events from tossing the caber and tug o’ war contests, to highland dancing and solo piping competitions.

Riverside Museum Summer Beach 
As per opening hours

Enjoy a sun-filled day in the sand! Don’t forget your sunglasses and suncream! Free to access and open until Friday 31st August.

Funky Fridays, Pollokshields Library
6, 13, 20, 27 July 1pm -2:30pm

Fun arts & crafts and physical activity for children, parents and carers.  

Voluntours at The Hidden Gardens 
Every Saturday in July and August, 2pm

Free guided tours (approx. 45 mins) for the whole family by The Hidden Gardens volunteers. Learn about the design of the gardens, wildlife, history and plants that make The Hidden Gardens such a unique space. Meet at the Voluntour board on the lawn (which is the first thing you’ll see when you enter the Gardens), no booking required!

EDINBURGH

Art Early, Edinburgh Art Festival at Stills, Cockburn Street
Saturday 4 August,  10am – 12.30pm 

Photography and storyboarding workshops for the family making use of your own images to create a story, inspired by the Tacita Dean exhibition. The morning finishes off with a picnic in Princes Street Gardens.

NYCoS sings Vaughan Williams, Whitacre and Tippett at the Usher Hall
Sunday 5 August, 3pm

Christopher Bell directs the National Youth Choir of Scotland in four works that showcase the virtuosity of these young singers.

BambinO at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (The Edinburgh Academy, Robertson Room) August 7-12, 14-19 (45 min shows beginning at 10am and 11.30am)

Scottish Opera’s BambinO is a first operatic adventure for 6 to 18-month-olds and their carers. This colourful work reinvents opera for children at an age when their minds are wide open to new sounds, images and experiences. Babies are free to explore during the performance, interacting with singers, musicians and each other.
Scottish Opera, MIF and Improbable

Brainiac Live! Underbelly, Bristo Square
August 4-21 (no show on 13) 11am (1 hour)

This show will take you on a breathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful. Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re too scared to do at home!
Suitable for age 5+

CeilidhKids at the Fringe – Free! Laughing Horse at the Counting House
August 2-15, 17-20, 22, 24-26 45 mins (start times vary, check the link)

Family workshops suitable for children age 3 – 7 with parents or carers. Everyone gets involved : skip, clap and march together to traditional Scottish music. Enjoy discovering very simple (often simplified) dances that you might find at a ceilidh or Scottish country dance, celebrating the social aspects of dancing.